Building permit issued for St. Johns County Mercedes-Benz service center

Business

Plans are advancing for a Fields Auto Group Mercedes-Benz service center in World Commerce Center along Interstate 95 in St. Johns County.

The Northfield, Illinois-based luxury auto group was issued a building permit Dec. 2 at a project cost of about $7.1 million. According to plans, it is the first of a three-phase project that will also service Porsche vehicles.

Jacksonville-based BGE Inc. is the civil engineer. International Contractors Inc., based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, is the contractor.

Fields Auto Group of Orlando plans a service center in St. Augustine within the World Commerce Center along Interstate 95 in St. Johns County. Phase one will service Mercedes-Benz models.

The Mercedes-Benz facility at 405 World Commerce Parkway will encompass 24,815 square feet. It is south of Buc-ees, Costco Wholesale and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

The county approved a building permit Nov. 6 for the foundation at a project cost of $150,000. International Contractors Inc. is the contractor.

The purpose of the service center is to address the growing demand for the luxury brands “to better assist our customers in an expanding area,” Garry Redig, Fields Auto Group vice president, said in an email May 28.

The project site for Fields Auto Group for a Mercedes-Benz center is on part of a 15.5-acre parcel south of the proposed Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in World Commerce Center. The building to the north is Costco Wholesale.

There are no plans to add dealerships at the World Commerce Center property.

In Northeast Florida, Fields Auto Group owns Fields Cadillac Jacksonville and Fields Cadillac St. Augustine; Jaguar Jacksonville; Land Rover Jacksonville; Lexus of Jacksonville; Lexus of Orange Park; Mercedes-Benz of Jacksonville; Mercedes-Benz of Orange Park; Porsche Jacksonville and Fields Collision Jacksonville.

The planned Porsche service center at the World Commerce Center will occupy 5.2 acres. It is designed as a 21,000-square-foot service center with a 4,500-square-foot car wash and detail center.